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RoSPA Press Office : Press ReleaseJuly 2 , 2009 Protecting the health, safety and well-being of Scottish workers during tough economic times will be the theme of this year’s RoSPA Scotland Congress. RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Congress, which is being held at Glasgow Hilton Hotel on September 23, will highlight the moral, legal and business cases for effective health and safety management in recession. It will open with a keynote address by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP, cabinet minister for health and wellbeing. Delegates will have the chance to debate one of the key health and safety issues of the moment - whether a stronger regulatory approach is necessary to ensure effective director leadership of accident and ill health prevention. Although congress has one overarching theme – the need for employers to invest in the protection of workers, even when facing financial pressure – three parallel topic tracks will allow delegates to tailor content to their own needs. The three topic tracks - health risks at work, managing occupational road risk, and “when the rules aren’t followed” – emphasise different aspects of the same vital message, that effective health and safety management is as important during recession as at any other time. The annual conference for risk management professionals is also running in association with the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives. Dr Karen McDonnell, head of RoSPA Scotland, said: “Scotland continues to feel the effects of the economic downturn, and in recession all business functions are challenged to improve their effectiveness. “It is at times like these that health and safety professionals, managers and safety representatives need to prove how the prevention of accidents and health makes excellent business sense. “Indeed, far from being too costly to contemplate during recession, effective occupational safety management is a profit-guarding exercise which can defend the bottom line when sales and turnover fall by reducing the easily-avoidable losses which occur due to accidents and work-related ill health. “Through a variety of presentations, and the opportunity for learning and dialogue through networking and discussion, this year’s RoSPA Scotland Congress will make a strong case for continued investment in the health and safety of workers, even when times are tough.” Winners of RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards will receive their honours at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel the day after congress.
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